Page 69 of Twist of Fate

“Later,” Connal rumbled, finally releasing Luke’s thumb from his mouth.

The promise in that single word sent Luke over the edge.

Luke saw stars and dropped his head onto Connal’s shoulder as he came. Connal clutched him tighter and thrust into Luke’s fist. A moment later, Luke felt the first warm splash of Connal’s release against his hand.

When Connal stopped trembling, Luke lifted his head and brought his come-slicked hand to his mouth. He licked it, then leaned in.

Connal accepted the invitation and devoured Luke’s mouth. The taste of them both flooded Luke’s tongue. He chased more of it. Connal lifted Luke into his arms and then pressed him against the stone wall. The warm water stayed with them. Luke didn’t question the logistics. He didn’t really care.

He let himself go and sank into the kiss. For once, he didn’t worry about anything. It wasn’t until Connal finally drew back that Luke came back to himself.

“Wow.”

Connal grinned, sexy and almost feral in his pride. “Yes.”

Luke laughed and unwrapped his legs from Connal’s waist. He didn’t even remember wrapping them up in the first place. “We should probably get cleaned up.”

“Probably,” Connal replied.

“And put on some clean clothes.”

Connal tucked his face into Luke’s neck and kissed his way up to Luke’s ear. “You’re very wise.”

Luke shivered and leaned his head to the side to give Connal more access. “No, if I was wise, I’d spend the rest of my life doing this.”

“But alas, duty calls.”

Luke knew that what waited outside the door was important. He glanced at the thumb drive, then looked back at Connal.

It could wait five more minutes.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Luke should have known Gomez would take one look at him and know way too much.

His friend remained propped beneath the flowering tree, surrounded by pillows, breakfast dishes, and enough pixies to defend a small country. Avaneel sat beside his hip while two others wove ribbons through the branches overhead. Cosmo was no longer in the chair beside the bed. He’d probably returned to the king while Luke and Connal bathed.

Luke and Connal both put on clean clothes before coming back. Luke had pulled on jeans and a dark shirt from his backpack, transferred the drive from the bathing chamber shelf to the small watch pocket at the front of his jeans, and left the bag beside Connal’s chair. Connal had exchanged his rumpled clothing for a fresh tunic and dark trousers.

Gomez watched Luke enter. His gaze moved over Luke’s damp hair before sliding to Connal, who followed close behind him.

Then it returned to Luke.

“Oh,” Gomez said.

Luke stopped beside the bed. “How do you feel?”

“Don’t change the subject.”

“I asked first.”

“So it’s just a coincidence that you both somehow have matching wet hair.”

Luke resisted the urge to look at Connal. “I…we…I…took a bath.”

“Together?”

Connal stepped up beside him. The warmth of his body settled along Luke’s side without quite becoming contact.